Essential Oils for Weight Loss: How Aromatherapy Can Curb Food Cravings

Many Americans struggle with their weight, and shedding pounds can be difficult for even the most determined dieters. Even when we succeed at losing weight, most of us struggle to keep it off. But why is it so difficult to lose the weight and keep it off for good? It’s because losing those unwanted pounds is about more than just healthy eating and regular exercise.

To truly achieve lasting weight loss, we must win the battle we fight with our brain when it tells us to eat, eat more and eat high-calorie foods.

While dieting, it feels like we are constantly being tempted with a piece of cake or a slice of greasy pizza, and it’s so hard to resist. We blame ourselves when we succumb to our cravings and feel like failures. While there is no magic pill that can cure every craving or make us automatically lose weight, there are some excellent essential oils that can support a healthy weight and help reduce cravings.

Aromatherapy triggers areas in the brain that can have a powerful effect on our ability to feel energized, sleepy, peaceful — or full and satisfied. Just like when you smell something cooking on the grill and it makes your mouth water, essential oils can have a big impact on our bodies and minds. Fortunately, not all smells make us hungry. Some have the power to squash our appetite, thereby and fortifying our will-power during the weight loss process.

If you are on a weight loss journey and ready for some help, check out these essential oils that can curb cravings and promote a healthier body weight.

1. Peppermint

There’s nothing quite as uplifting as the scent of refreshing peppermint, and it has been used for centuries to promote a healthy digestive system. But this stomach-soothing herb also has the power to curb hunger. A 2008 study showed that participants who inhaled peppermint essential oil once every two hours experienced less hunger and fewer food cravings than those who did not inhale peppermint. The participants also ate fewer calories throughout the day and lost more weight.

2. Grapefruit

You may have heard of the grapefruit diet from the 1930s that was made popular by Hollywood starlets. Fortunately, you don’t have to go to those extremes to reap the waist-slimming benefits of grapefruit. The essential oil is extracted from the grapefruit rind, which contains a compound called AMPK that helps the body to use up sugar and stored fat. If you suffer from emotional overeating, the scent of grapefruit essential oil has the power to uplift and brighten your mood, which can reduce many food cravings.

3. Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus has a powerful crisp scent that is both invigorating and relaxing. It can help reduce stress and boost energy while reviving the mind. When we are under stress, we tend to overeat and often gain weight. The next time you are feeling stress, try inhaling some eucalyptus essential oil to feel both invigorated and relaxed. You might find you don’t need that afternoon brownie after all.

4. Ginger

Ginger has long been used to help promote a healthy digestive system and can assist in better absorption of essential nutrients. Studies have shown that a compound found in ginger called gingerols can decrease inflammation in the intestines, helping a dieter to get more of the vitamins and minerals they need to support cellular function for increased energy that can help them on their weight loss journey. If you are struggling with unwanted belly fat, ginger may be just what you need. A study from 2004 showed that ginger has the power to suppress cortisol, a stress hormone that can cause the body to hold onto stored fat around the abdomen.

5. Lemon

Like grapefruit, lemon essential oil is extracted from the rind, which contains many weight-loss-promoting benefits. One study found that combining lemon oil and grapefruit oil helped to break down body fat. Its bright, uplifting aroma can put you in a good mood while promoting healthy intestines and improving digestion.

6. Bergamot

We often use food to help us feel better when we are stressed or sad. Bergamot essential oil can help ease negative feelings and lift your spirits so that you don’t find yourself reaching for that box of cookies when you are having a bad day. Bergamot smells sweet and is a known mood booster that contains polyphenols, like those found in green tea, which can help promote a more active and healthy metabolism.

7. Fennel

Fennel has an earthy, sweet scent that can help prevent cravings for sugary foods. It’s also great at promoting healthy digestion, and the melatonin found in fennel helps regulate sleep cycles. Melatonin can also have a positive effect on weight loss efforts by allowing the body to create fat that is more easily burned than stored, according to a 2011 study.

How to Use Essential Oils for Weight loss

The simplest way to use essential oils for weight loss is to inhale a few deep breaths of the oil from the bottle or a cotton ball before a meal or when you feel a food craving coming on. You can also use them in a diffuser any time of the day to stay relaxed and at peace or around meal times to get your mind off unhealthy foods. A nice hot bath with a few drops of oil is a great alternative to a sugary dessert and can help you stick to your daily eating plan.

Final Thoughts

Quality essential oils are considered safe to use, though some people may experience an allergic reaction. Always dilute essential oils before use and do a skin patch test on your arm to make sure your body won’t react negatively. It’s important to make sure to buy essential oils labeled “therapeutic grade” from a reputable source to make sure you are getting products that are free from added chemicals and toxins.

At the end of the day, the best way to keep our weight under control is to develop a lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and regular exercise. There is no right diet plan for everyone or one specific product that will help everyone lose weight. Experiment with essential oils that you find pleasing and pay attention to what works for your unique body.